Many places allow dogs but require them to be on leash. / V. Richard Haro/Coloradoan library

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What's better than a picture-perfect summer day hiking? For dog owners, it's a bluebird day hiking with their pet. Before you hit the trail, here are tips on how to prepare for the trail, gear you'll need and best hikes for you and your pooch.

Preparing for the trail

> Have your veterinarian check your pet out for any health issues before starting an exercise plan.> Acclimate your dog to hiking slowly if they have been canine potatoes. Work up to 30 minutes of walking before taking a short, flat one-hour hike.> Start with lighter loads in the dog’s pack, working up to no more than 25 percent of the dog’s weight.> Teach your dog the rules of the trail. > Consider your dog’s age. Most dogs will do whatever you ask them to do even if it is detrimental to their health. > Check regulations to see if dogs are allowed in the area you are going. For example, dogs are allowed on leash in Roosevelt National Forest and most wilderness areas, Larimer County Open Spaces and city of Fort Collins Natural Areas as well as Lory State Park.Exceptions where dogs are not allowed include Red Mountain Open Space, Fossil Creek Reservoir Open Space, Rim Rock Open Space, Soapstone Prairie Natural Area, Coyote Ridge Natural Area, Bobcat Ridge Natural Area, Running Deer Natural Area and Cottonwood Hollow Natural Area. Dogs are not allowed on trails in Rocky > Check the maps of places you are hiking to see if there are reliable water sources for your dog. If not, load up on water for your dog.> Throw some treats in your pack to help keep your dog’s energy level up.> When backpacking or hiking away from town, locate the closest veterinarian in case of emergency.

On the trail

> Take breaks in the shade. Hike early or late in the day to avoid mid-day heat. Watch your dog’s body language for signs of fatigue. It may be panting unusually hard, slowing down, dragging behind you or stopping altogether. > Take the time to check your dog for ticks, thorns, burrs and any other unwanted souvenirs from your trip to the wilderness.> Always be sure to pick up after your dog.> If your dog is bitten by a rattlesnake, keep it calm and seek medical help as soon as possible. The smaller the dog, the more important this is.

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Doggie essentials

> First-aid kits: Colorado State University and the Red Cross offer canine first-aid classes. Check out your local bookstores for canine first-aid books and make a safety kit. Commercial kits are available from www.DogKits.com, www.petfirstaidkits.com, www.bowwowcastle.com and www.first-aid-product.com.> Booties: Especially helpful in extremely hot weather as well as to protect your dog’s feet from abrasions or cuts from rocks on the trail.> Backpack: Storage for no more than 25 percent of its weight> Food/treats: Bring more than your dog normally consumes since they are expending a large amount of energy> Water bowl: If water from streams and lakes is available, fine. However, dogs, like humans, are susceptible to water-borne parasites such as giardia. Collapsible bowls are most convenient.> Leash: Most areas that require dogs on leash require leashes not to be more than 10 feet.> ID tag: Or have a microchip placed under the dog’s skin.> Plastic bags/trowel: Makes cleanup much easier.> Insect repellent: DEET-based products work best to repel ticks and mosquitoes. However, like some humans, come dogs have a strong reaction to DEET. Before heading out, apply a small amount to your dog to see if it reacts to it. If not, apply only to areas of the body that dog cannot lick.

Where to go

Horsetooth Falls> Where: Horsetooth Mountain Open Space. Take Larimer County Road 38E west of Fort Collins for 8.7 miles to Horsetooth Mountain Park.> Open: 24/7, year-round> Trail: Easy 1.1-mile trail one way with little elevation gain; open only to hiking> Entrance fee: $7 daily or $65 annual pass to Larimer County parks> Pets: On leash> Why go: Dogs on leash can cool off in the pond below the falls. Watch for rattlesnakes along the trail.> Information: Larimer County Parks, (970) 679-4570 or www.larimer.org/ parks

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Pineridge Natural Area> Where: Main parking lot off Larimer County Road 42C, past Hughes Stadium, around the curve and up the hogback. Entrances also located on the north by parking in the Maxwell Natural areas parking lot along County Road 42C and the east at Spring Canyon Park.> Open: 24/7, year-round> Trails: Easy loop trails with little elevation gain> Entrance fee: Free> Pets: On leash > Why go: Close to Fort Collins with array of trail options plus a reservoir for your leashed dog to cool off in.Information: www.fcgov.com/naturalareas or (970) 416-2815

Blue Lake> Where: Located 53 miles up the Poudre Canyon along Colorado Highway 14> Open: 24/7 year-round> Trail: 9 miles roundtrip with 1,500-foot elevation gain> Entrance fee: Free> Pets: On leash> Why go: Beautiful trail with lots of wildflowers June through August and spectacular Blue Lake for the leashed dog to splash around in.> Information: Roosevelt National Forest, (970) 295-6700 or www.fs.fed.us/r2/arnf